In February 1877 a small coterie of broad minded and forward-looking women met in the home of Mrs. Tina R. Jones and laid the foundation of the Ladies’ Literary Club.  It was one the twelve founded in America and the first West of the Mississippi River.  Nine years earlier the Sorosis Woman’s Club of New York, the pioneer woman’s club, was founded.

To be a club woman was an adventure in those days,  requiring great courage.  But these were women who had already voted for seven years, gaining that right with Wyoming women in 1870.

The first plank which was laid in the platform of the new organization announced an open door policy to all women interested in literary pursuits and the development of mental culture.

From the very beginning, the Ladies’ Literary Club took an active interest in the matters of community welfare, even though its primary purpose was self culture.

In December 1882 the club was incorporated under the laws of the Territory of Utah.  Even at this early date these ambitious women aspired to own a clubhouse and to be able to transact business.

For the first twenty-one years the Club led a nomadic life, holding their meetings in many different homes and buildings.

A milestone of notable importance was reached in 1892 when the club joined the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.  The following year on April 7, the Utah State Federation organized in the Ladies’ Literary Club room on Fifth East Street. Six Women’s Clubs from Salt Lake City, Ogden and Provo became charter members.  Maine was the first State to form a State Federation, Utah was second and followed by Iowa.

In 1893 the club published a history of the club, it was an artistic, leather bound volume.  This book was placed in the Women’s Building of the Colombian Exposition in Chicago.  A copy is a rare treasure today.

On January 7, 1898, the formal opening of their first clubhouse took place.  The clubhouse was located on Third East, between South Temple and First South.  There were 132 members to share this notable event.  It was the first Women’s clubhouse in the West.  It was built at a cost of $4,700.00 ($1,500 for the lot and $3,200 for the building).  The Club conducted its activities there for the next fifteen years.

In 1913, the Club built and moved into its attractive home at 850 East South Temple.  This house that women built is a monument to a worthy ambition, persistence and business acumen.  It was built at a cost of $7,500.00 for the property and $25,007.94 for the building.  After all those years the building is beautiful and kept in good repair.

From the beginning the Club has generously shared the building for charitable and educational purposes.  It has been made available for many communities, civil and social needs.

During World War I, in May 1917, a charter was granted by the Salt Lake chapter of the Red Cross to the Ladies’ Literary Club Auxiliary.  Sewing machines were set up in the clubhouse auditorium.  On Wednesdays, the members spent the day making hospital clothes for disabled soldiers and clothing for Belgian children.  Through two World Wars, the members did outstanding and faithful service in their numerous and varied volunteer contributions.

One of the important community welfare projects of the Club was to bring about the first Free Public Library.  This was done in support of the Masonic Library that later merged into the Pioneer Library Association.  The Club held a huge fair and carnival in the Exposition Building (now the site of Trolley Square).  This fund raised a huge sum of $3,100.00.  With this money two thousand books were purchased, this was a beginning.  The members worked for the passage of the Library Bill, passed by the State Legislature in 1896.  This bill provided for support of the Library by the City.

Through a generous donor, the first library building became a reality.  The Club’s interest in the Library has never waned.

Other projects sponsored by the Club have included:  establishing of the first free kindergartens; placement of art in local schools; traveling libraries; early closing of department and dry good stores;  high school Art and Music contests; a scholarship fund at the University of Utah and Hugh O’Brian Leadership Training.

In 1897 Mrs. Euritha K. LaBarthe was the Club president and a member of the State Legislature.  She introduced the House of Representative House Bill 13,  this was known as  “High Hat Bill”, it made it unlawful for women to wear high hats in public places, such as the theater.  This bill was passed and became law on February 17,1897, when it was signed by Governor Heber M. Wells.

The Club still has representation in the Salt Lake District Federation of Women’s Clubs and on the Women’s State Legislative Council of Utah.

The Club has a full slate of activities for its memberships.  We have two general club meeting and one meeting of the sections each month.

The first President, Mrs J.C.  Royle, speaking of the new Club described it “As an infant the Club was ambitious.  We essayed great things.  We were indeed, a most precocious infant.”  Today, after 131 years of great accomplishments,  we might today describe the Club as The Grande Dame of East South Temple.